Monday, June 08, 2009

World Oceans Day on Google Maps

World Database on Marine Protected AreasDid you know that only 0.7 of the world's oceans are protected? The WDPA-Marine wants to provide the most comprehensive set of marine protected areas (MPAs) data available. Part of this effort involves a very cool Google Maps mashup that provides information about the less that 1% of protected ocean.

The map uses shaded polygons to highlight protected ocean areas. For each protected area it is possible to select a number of layers showing coral, mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh locations. The map also includes layers to display Wikipedia articles, photographs and videos of the selected protected area.

End of the Line"The End of the Line" is a film based on a book by former Telegraph environmental editor Charles Clover. The book and the film is about overfishing, the bad guys, the good guys and what you can do to help ... think "An inconvenient Truth" but about saving fish.

This Google Map mashup is the main tool of the film's campaign to create awareness and hopefully get your pledges towards sustainable fishing. To pledge your support you can claim a piece of the ocean. The map then becomes a symbol of the communal responsibility we all have towards saving the ocean.

Clicking on the fish markers of people who have already pledged their support reveals what people have pledged, for example to write to government officials, ask about the provenance of the fish they eat, etc.

HomeFilm producer Luc Besson and the photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand have collaborated to produce a film called 'Home'. Home paints a portrait of the impact of humans on planet Earth using the stunning aerial photography of Yann Arthus Bertrand.

In addition to the film, five Google Maps have been created with information about the project. The maps allow users to interact with the film content and give information about the screening of the film, access to educational resources on the topics covered in the film and much more.